According to court records, federal prosecutors have filed charges against Hunter Biden, the son of President Joe Biden, in relation to firearms.
Hunter Biden indicted on firearms charges related to purchase of a Colt Cobra revolver in 2018
In a Delaware federal court, Biden faces three counts related to possessing a firearm while under the influence of narcotics.
These charges are related to an incident in October 2018 when he purchased a Colt Cobra revolver. Two of the charges claim that Biden falsely filled out a form claiming he was not using illegal drugs at the time of the purchase. The third charge alleges that he had a firearm while using narcotics.
This indictment marks a historic moment, as it involves the son of a sitting president. It comes after a plea deal that could have resolved a lengthy investigation into Hunter Biden fell apart.
House Republicans have initiated an impeachment inquiry to obtain bank records and other documents concerning both the president and his son.
The case is being overseen by Special Counsel David Weiss, who was initially appointed by former President Trump and continued to serve as the U.S. attorney for Delaware due to the unusual and sensitive nature of investigating a president’s son. This responsibility falls under the jurisdiction of the Justice Department, which is part of the executive branch headed by the president, NBC News reported.
In August, U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland officially named David Weiss as a special counsel. This appointment followed the breakdown of negotiations concerning the tax and gun-related charges in the ongoing case.
Hunter Biden’s 2018 investigation and plea deal
Weiss began his investigation back in 2018, a year before Joe Biden officially ran for president. The inquiry mainly revolved around Hunter Biden’s financial matters.
In July, both parties reached a plea deal. As part of this agreement, Hunter Biden was set to plead guilty in a Delaware federal court to two misdemeanor charges related to unpaid taxes. In return, prosecutors would recommend a probationary sentence.
Additionally, there was a separate felony charge for possessing an illegal Colt Cobra .38 Special handgun. This charge would have been dropped in two years if Hunter Biden followed the conditions outlined in what’s called a diversion agreement.
